Trustees Kill Mountain Jam Camp Site Contract - Earth Day Clean Up BBQ Planned

FLEISCHMANNS - "Unfortunately Mountain Jam is out of the picture," said Fleischmanns Mayor Samuel Gil. Without the proper permits in place and time restrictions, trustees decided to kill the contract.

Mountain Jam Festival organizers had advertised and sold tickets for guests to camp RVs at the Fleischmanns Village Park on Wagner Avenue for over a month. Still, they never obtained permits or contracts with the village. The festival is scheduled for June 20-22. The website no longer lists Wagner Avenue as an available RV site.

While some saw the campsite as a potential for the village to gain income, others were concerned the 1934 contract giving the park to the village prohibited such permits.

"We are looking at the rules and deed restrictions for the Village of Fleischmann's ballpark to know what we can do and what we can't do for the future," said Gil. He believed the village could have had a nicer summer with the ability to fund various projects if a contract with Mountain Jam had been obtained. However, he said, "Due to different factors it was not possible."

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to use the historic ball field and look forward to continuing a conversation with the Village and local business community about cross-promoting mutually beneficial events that can help offset the costs of maintaining and improving the park and other historical assets in the Village," said Collin Miller, Mountain Athletic Club Vintage Base Ball manager. With many vintage games scheduled at the Fleischmanns field, the club has an invested interest in the park. The park has a 130-year baseball history, Miller said, and was recognized by the State and National Historic Places Registry in 2021.

Earth Day Clean Up

Trustees, in collaboration with the Mountain Athletic Club, have scheduled an Earth Day village-wide clean-up on April 27th. Interested parties should meet at the village park on Wagnar Avenue at 9:30 a.m. Following the clean-up, the village is hosting a BBQ at the park.

For some entertainment, the Mountain Athletic Club Vintage Base Ball will host a pre-season scrimmage and open practice at noon versus the Saugerties Brickmakers.

Summer Plans

Trustees announced the need for several summer positions in order to open the municipal pool on Wagner Avenue. Open jobs include two lifeguards and one Certified Pool Operator. The village is seeking interested parties to operate the concession stand. Gil has mentioned the stand could be open for vintage baseball games and pool hours.

Trustees would like to rent out the storefront on the ground floor of the former Maxbilt Theater at 932 Main Street. The board is continuing to discuss the possibility of selling the theater.

After losing a Department of Public Works staff to the town, trustees will advertise to fill the position.

The Memorial Day street fair is scheduled for Sunday, May 25.

The village is working to create a volleyball area at the park this year.

"Busy summer coming up, God willing," said Gil.

Gil reminds visitors and residents to be responsible when driving and "slow down on the streets of Fleischmanns."

The next village board meeting is scheduled Monday, May 12, at 6 p.m.

For more information on the discussion behind the camp site contract read the article titled Potential RV Park In Fleischmanns Raises Concerns published in the April 4th edition of the Catskills Chronicle.